With the impossible timetables we all have nowadays, a mini-meet like the one AO Deech and Machaneus (aka Sotza) recently had in Athens is much easier to organize than a full-scale event. That's what me and Lasonic TRC 920 thought when we decided to spend 24 hrs together in Napoli, where the legendary Chris, a true globetrotter, now lives. And what's better than a weekend, when we get a rest from work and fleamarket open their gates? When I arrived at 2:00 on Saturday 28th October, Cris took me to see his legendary disco boom room: the place where he keeps all his boomers which any true boombox lover should visit at least once in his/her lifetime. Seeing is believing, isn't it? Can you see the astonishment in my eyes? I was like a kid in a candy store: Not only for the beauty of the units, but for the care they have been put on display and for the passion emanating from his owner when he speaks of them boxes. And when the disco is on, well, it's quite an experience! A selection of his big hitters are connected with one another, so that the sound goes to and fro and you can feel it in 3D while the strobolight is spinning! Just amazing. I hadn't come empty-handed (I could I?). Having previously investigated about the units that were missing from his collection, I decided to carry as a present one of my favorite "perfect size" (and wonderful basses) boxes. I know that you're all thinking of a Sanyo, but for once I went for another brand, ie: Aiwa TPR 950 I had a good reason for my choice: not only, besides SANYOvar, I am also known as SamAIWAr: before my arrival I had spotted a local ad concerning another classical unit of this glorious brand. The seller was in Napoli, so the idea was to meet the guy together with Chris. Which we did at 5:00, when we drove downtown for the transaction. It took place right on the street out of the trunk of his car! Here's what we got: Aiwa Stereo 550 Isn't it lovely? The bonus feature is that, in addition to being in very good cosmetic conditions, it's 100% working (tape deck included!), as we found out once we were back in the cave: Needless to say, we spent the rest of the night chatting drinking and booming after the wonderful barbecue prepared by Chris's wife. The next day we woke up early and, profiting from daylight saving time, we went immediately to the big fleamarket downtown to see what we could find in the wild. And the hunting season opened. See for yourself: three-piecers... ...little monos... ...none of them top of the line yet some had the pretence of being equipped with a CD player (as Chris promptly noticed)... ...nice little units... ...peculiar designs... ... a Saba RCP 650 with detacheable wooden speakers... ... some well know units (can you name them?) ... ...until we stumbled across the following cozy little fella: Chris had no Grundig in his collection, so when the guy asked 5 euros for it and threw the cable in the deal we didn't think twice and took it home, together with the following item: Yep, not exactly mint; but Chris loves TV boomboxes, and the price tag for this beast, one of the solidest Philips around, was the same as for the Grundig. So how could we possibly resist? The market tour didn't end here. Look at two of the three walkmans we decided to salvage from oblivion: Back home we found out that, with the exception of the WM-8F60, everything worked although in need of cleaning, rebelting and other fix-up. Still not bad for a total amount of 21 euros: We had barely the time to grab something to eat that I had to leave. But Chris wouldn't let me go empty-handed. Fittingly enough, he sealed the event by handing to me the Aiwa (!) TP 28 and a precious Zealous Video Sender so as to broadcast my old videotapes to one of my TV boomboxes: 24 hrs exactly, as my flight back home was at 2:00 pm, Sunday 29 -- which makes me think that we should do it more often. Thanks Chris for your ospitality & presents and the great time we spent together; and so many thanks to your wife and her zen-like patience in dealing with two die-hard boombox fanatics. In her shoes, I would have barbecued both of us...
Thanks for sharing your trip and all the picture. Can you someday visit LA and tell me how to find these bargains here in Los Angeles ??
Two legends get together, amazing how much is packed into 24hrs. That 950 is so clean, what a great gift. It's meets like this and the ongoing efforts of members that make rewarding and lasting friendships. I feel like Chris has been a bit of an ambassador for meets and there has been a noticeable surge in them recently, your inspiring man. Look forward to meeting you Sal, everyone who meets you feels you infectious enthusiasm. Good work guys
I don't think I have any special gift: if anything is in the wild to be found, the only way to find it is looking for it. I just do so. This said, LA has always been a dream-like place for me. Sooner or later I'll visit it, so be ready! Yes Chris is the true ambassador for all the boombox lovers the world over. And yes I too am looking forward to meeting you and all the UK crew next Spring. You guys are just fantastic
Thanks for posting this up for our friends here on S2Go to see. We indeed did have a great time. It was all the things us crazy boom-heads love. Blasting radio's, sharing and in the end, hunting them down in the wild. I will be returning to that market again and if I don't see any radios, than I will know that YOU ARE THE LUCKY CHARM! Thank you so much for your amazing gift of the Aiwa TPR-950. Now, one of the top jewels in my collection. I can only say that you are a real ambassador of our hobby and a great guy. We will get together again when time permits. To all the collectors, I highly recommend reaching out to your fellow collectors near and far when ever possible. Sharing online is one thing, but meeting other collectors puts this all onto a whole new level. Thanks again Sal! The Aiwa is now snuggled into the collection and the Phillips ART 60 got a good wipe down and has been added to the Top Shelf along with my other TV blasters! (The Grundig is going to get a full tear down before it finds a shelf)
Don't you love these mini-meets. Look at you guys, superb. Yes, you kept quiet about your Aiwa fixation though I suspect your Carryin' Compo quest should have gave the game away slightly.
Yeah! Your Carry Compo, of which I consider to be keeper & caretaker rather than owner, is an absolute gem. Stay tuned, one of these days I'm going to post about my modest Aiwa collection...
So very true! Amazing! The Philips looks like another unit. Waiting to see the magic you're about to perform on the Grundig
Happiness in one picture ,so great that you had such a good time Sal !And what a mini meet: fellow collector ,boombox collection ,strobolights??!! ,flea market...what more can you ask? Ahh ... I almost forgot, me wants to see SamAIWArs !!
Thx for all your comments guys, reading that you share my and Chris's enthusiasm really warms the heart. I'll certainly do my best to meet you all at some point. Windows of opportunities are constantly being created, as proven by the samovar-Lasonic TRC 920 mini-meet the convergence in Athens of three boombox and walkman lovers the forthcoming UK meet... The community is alive'n'kickin' and it's time to make it count. And yes Machaneus, I am soon posting about yours truly SamAIWAr's units...
I wrote it on Bboxery i will write here too ! This is the true spirit !!! Hardcore collecting and meeting all the way !!
Thanks for the heads-up on that Zealous Unit, I was looking for a more industrial solution but that might just work!
Thank you for all the kind words. The Boombox Society has always proven to be one of the greatest there is. Sharing radio's, music, knowledge...just the BEST!
